April 16th, 1912 - 2:00 am

Katherine awoke sometime later with a start, sitting straight up in the small bed. Ned, who had crawled into the bed next to her, jumped awake. She looked around the room, trying to reorient herself, as the remains of her nightmare slipped away.

She wasn't on the Titanic. She had to remind herself of that. She wasn't going to die.

The bed creaked and she felt Ned turn in his sleep.

SHe had to be quiet. He needed his sleep. She did too. She closed her eyes again, but it was only a matter of time before she woke again. Her heart rate was beating faster than before, buy this time she couldn't catch her breath.

"Katherine, are you alright?" Ned asked sleepily as he raised his head from the pillow. He was gently rubbing her back as she rested on her side and put her head in her hands, trying to catch her breath.

"Just a bad dream," she whispered.

She felt him plant a small kiss on her shoulder and then his arms wrapped around her waist. "It's alright. You are here with me. You're safe."

"I know," she nodded, more tears rolling down her cheeks. Why couldn't she catch her breath then? "I know."

"Listen to my words, breathe in and out," he soothed, his hands running up and down her side. "In and out."

Just as her heart began to slow to its normal rate, Katherine suddenly felt the sway of the ocean. She was on another ship. Her heart rate shot back up and she began to hyperventilate. Her nightmare was becoming reality again.

She was back on the Titanic.

It was sinking. People were screaming. People were dying. She was going to die. Everyone she loved was going to die.

She could vaguely hear Ned calling to her, but she was breathing so fast that she couldn't seem to get a proper breath. The last thing she remembered was hearing Ned call out before she collapsed back on the bed.

When Katherine awoke once again, she was in a different place. She could hear coughing and quiet talking. She slowly opened her eyes. A sterile smell hit her nose and made her grimace slightly noticed other men and women were lying on beds next to her and across from her. Some had sheets drawn around them and some didn't.

She was in a hospital. She was on solid ground. She was in New York City, at least she assumed she was.

A nurse suddenly walked over to her. She was wearing a long white dress, customary for nurses, and a white cap on top of her perfectly styled hair. Seeing her awake, she said cheerfully, "Well, finally, sleepyhead! We were getting worried about you!"

Confused, Katherine didn't respond. The nurse didn't seem to notice because she walked away.

Katherine was wearing a thin white gown, and was quickly beginning to realize that the sheets weren't doing much to keep her warm. She fought back the memories of waiting in the cold darkness when Ned suddenly strode into view, pulling back the green curtain.

She felt her heart leap at the sight of him, but then it sank when she saw his face. He had obviously been crying. "Ned," she began, reaching for him instinctively but wasn't sure if she could get up. "What's wrong?"

"I was so worried about you," he replied quietly. "You wouldn't wake up. It's been days. I didn't know what to do."

She held her arm out to him, wanting to comfort him but unable to go to him. Seeing her invitation, Ned closed the distance between them and sat on the bed to hold her.

"How is my sister?" She whispered.

"Better. She's up and walking now," he explained. "It's been two days. We're in New York. We docked this morning."

"Good," she whispered. "And James?"

"He's doing well. He only lost a finger because of the cold," he explained, pressing a kiss to her palm. "He is up and walking too. Would you like me to go fetch them?"

"Not yet," she felt him kiss her head and she snuggled against his chest. "That's good. Where are we?" she replied so quietly he could barely hear her. "Are we in New York?" She didn't move away from him.

Sensing her reluctance to leave him, he said, "I'll be here, Katherine. I'm not going anywhere. Yes, we are in New Yor City." He nudged her to sit up so he could too, and looked into her eyes and gave her a tender kiss. After their lips parted, he rose from the bed and said, "I'll be back soon, my love."

He walked away.

She remained on the bed, contemplating the ceiling tiles and losing track of time until the nurse from earlier came back in.

"Glad to see you're still awake," the nurse remarked with a bright smile that nearly blinded me. "I'm Elizabeth. I've been looking after you."

That was her mother's name. "Katherine," she replied as she genuinely smiled back the best she could considering.

"I know," the nurse nodded. "Do you need anything, sugar?" She shook her head. The nurse went about to check her temperature and examined her to make sure she was recovering. "You really gave that man with you a scare. He wouldn't leave your side."

"Oh, Ned?" She asked. "After everything, we love each other very much."

The nurse nodded. "You passed out when you were still in bed. The doctors think you had a panic attack." She lowered her eyes, feeling weak and guilty over scaring Ned. The nurse continued, "Of course, I can't blame you. If I had not only witnessed but had been a part of such a horrific tragedy, I would have a panic attack too."

She sighed and slowly nodded her head. She supposed the nurse had a point. When the Titanic sank, she didn't know if she'd ever feel okay again. If she'd ever have a night's sleep where she didn't hear those screams in the distance.

She smiled when Ned returned, having brought Melinda and James with him. They both looked a bit weak, but were up and walking.

"Oh, Katherine, you're alright. I'm so happy you're alright," Melinda gasped when she saw her little sister and rushed to sit beside her. "Don't worry, sweetheart. You just needed your rest. Everything was just catching up with you..."

She smiled her bright smile again. Melinda was always trying to make her feel better, especially when she was younger. "I know," she whispered. "I'm glad you're better." She looked past her, seeing James was talking to Ned. "And you too."

James smiled at her then. "Glad you're alright too, kid," he said, winking at her.

Katherine must have fallen asleep again because she woke up sometime later. The room was empty except for Ned, who was caressing her cheek. At least she assumed it was him. She smiled before she even opened her eyes. "That feels nice," she whispered. She opened her eyes and saw Ned was sitting beside her, smiling gently back at her. "Hi."

"Hi," he whispered, his hand draping over her cheek.

He must have seen the love she felt for him in her eyes because he leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. When he tried to pull away, her hand wound around to the back of his neck, holding him closely so that they wouldn't break the kiss just yet. A surprised moan escaped her lips and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. She felt his body relax into her as his tongue began to dance with hers.

Suddenly someone coughed behind them, and they separated quickly.

Ned jumped back and settled back into his chair, while Katherine put her hand over her mouth, effectively hiding her surely swollen lips, but not hiding the flush that crept onto her face. She watched as Ned raised his knees to hide the state of excitement their kiss left him in as Katherine met the nurse's stare. The nurse was blushing too, Katherine realized and she smiled proudly. She felt so lucky to be alive and to still have Ned with her that this wasn't even going to come close to dampening her mood.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I've come to discharge you, Katherine. Doctor's orders!" The nurse explained cheerfully. "I'll just need you to sign here." She felt relief that she no longer had to stay in the hospital wing, but the worry over where she would go was now an even greater issue. Would she be going to live with Melinda and James? Or would she and Ned find somewhere together? "I've brought some clothes for you. Your sister brought them for you," the nurse said as she placed them on the end of the bed. "I'll leave you two to get ready to leave."

After she had walked away she looked at Ned. "How are you?" She asked. "In all of this, I haven't had a chance to ask you that."

"Better," he replied, looking up at her. "I'm sleeping through the night. No nightmares last night." He reached for her hand and laced his fingers with hers. She smiled softly at him as he tenderly kissed the back of her hand.

"Will you…will you help me get dressed?" She asked sheepishly, darting her eyes to the clothes on the end of the bed.

Ned followed her gaze to the clothes and nodded as he stood up to gather the clothes the nurse had left for me. "Of course," he said.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and Ned pulled the chemise out for her. He brought it to her and moved her legs into it and pulled it up to her waist before helping her ease the hospital gown over her head. When his eyes glanced to her breasts for the few moments they were bare to him, he realized it was the first time he'd seen her like this since their time together on the Titanic. He brought the dress over next and helped her stand and into it, pulling the laces up a little looser than usual, not wanting to.

When he helped her stand, she hugged him. His arms slowly wrapped around her, enclosing her with warmth as he cleared his throat. "Katherine, can I tell you something?"

"Of course," she whispered, turning in to kiss his throat.

"I'm…I'm worried about you," he replied quietly. "That panic attack you had on the Carpathia really scared me." Noticing he had tears in his eyes, she cupped his cheeks.

She gently took his hand and guided him to sit next to her on the bed again. He held her hand between both of his as he replied, "I'm so sorry, Ned. I did not mean to scare you and I do not mean to scare you now, but…but the nurse said I may still get panic attacks like that sometimes." She paused as she took in a deep breath. "But I think I know what triggered it." He looked at her expectantly, waiting for an answer from her. "I was having a nightmare and…and then when I felt the Carpathia moving…" She trailed off, feeling shame at her weakness. "I thought I was on the Titanic again."

He caressed her cheek. "Oh Katherine, it's alright. I'm going to help you get through this. We'll recover together."

She looked up at her hopefully. "You…so you'll stay with me?"

"I believe you were the one who asked me to stay with you," he replied, a sly smile playing at the edges of his mouth.

She smiled and replied, "I know." She felt that she could overcome anything as long as she knew Ned would be with her. But when she watched his smiled fall, her brows knotted with concern. "What is it?" she asked. "You can tell me."

"I…I don't have anything, Katherine. Nowhere to go. No money. Nothing to offer you." He stuttered. He could hardly hold his eyes with hers. "You deserve better..."

She looked at him for a moment and he saw something flicker in her eyes. And it wasn't worry.

He helped her to her feet, keeping her steady, as she asked, "What about your family's money?"

"Well, my mother –" He sighed, shaking his head.

She interrupted him, "Your mother isn't in control of you anymore." She stared at him intently. "You've seen her haven't you?"

He waited a long moment before he finally nodded. "I saw her on one of the decks when were leaving the ship, Carpathia," he said quietly. "I haven't since then."

Just then, as if the evil woman somehow knew they were talking about her, his mother stormed into the room. "I knew I would find you here. I heard they were bringing any injured survivors here."

Katherine watched as Ned held out his other hand to her. She took his outstretched hand, and finally, Mrs. Banks's eyes landed on her. Her facial expression took on a look of gratitude almost, but she saw the disdain flickering in her eyes.

Ned must have noticed because his expression changed. "You still hate her? After everything?" He asked in angered disbelief.

"Just because a tragedy occured you doesn't mean you have to ruin your life by being with her," his mother replied scornfully.

Katherine guessed she shouldn't have been surprised by her response, but the selfishness of this woman stunned her.

Ned walked with her toward the door. "Mother, we're done with this. I don't care what you say or do, I love Katherine and nothing will change that," he replied surprisingly calmly, as if he had finally resolved all of the thoughts about his mother in his mind.

"I could still have her arrested, you know!" his mother countered.

"By whom?" Ned asked, his anger clearly rising. He stormed up to her and Katherine waited for him by the door. "All of the crew workers who would have been your witnesses are dead!" This seemed to take his mother aback. Mrs. Banks stood there, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we were just leaving," he said firmly.

"Where will you go?" His mother called after them as they began to walk away.

"I'll figure something out. I have enough money to figure things out for now," Ned responded as he glanced over at Katherine and smiled.

Her heart melted as his green eyes locked on hers, portraying so much hope and love, that any worry she had about her future – their future – had completely dissipated. In that moment, she felt a peace and joy that she hadn't known since her parents were still alive. It had been so long since she experienced those feelings that she had forgotten what they felt like. Images of a safe, secure, and happy future flooded her mind. All including Ned.

She saw them getting married – something she had not given much thought to before. They would have children and grow old together. She imagined falling asleep in his arms every night and waking up next to him every morning.

"If we can survive the sinking of the Titanic, we can survive anything," she said cheerfully.

He nodded in agreement, pressing a kiss to her forehead as they walked out of the hospital room together.